Culture minister vows to enhance S. Korea's allure in 2010

SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Yonhap) -- Culture Minister Yu In-chon said Thursday his ministry
will work towards making South Korea more tourist-friendly next year with the
creation of new cultural spots and events.

"Next year, we will host the G-20 summit, which will set up a new order in world
finance and help us enhance our national image," the minister said in his New
Year's message. "I look forward to seeing our country become one of the world's
top 10 culture nations through this global event."
South Korea will soon become "a country attracting friends from all over the
world," Yu said.
"With new national gallery and museum showing off our proud history and culture,
Korea will become a space connecting culture, art and dreams," he said. "The
future of the 21st century lies in culture."
Coinciding with its 2010-2012 "Visit Korea" campaign as well as the G-20 summit,
the South Korean government plans to host large events featuring Korean food and
culture next year, aiming to increase the annual number of foreign visitors to
8.5 million from the current 7.8 million, according to the culture ministry's New
Year plans.
The government will also begin construction next year in central Seoul on the
state-run Korean alphabet museum and national art museum, slated for completion
in 2012.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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